How to Use the Audio Glossary



Fonts and Web Browsers

Because this website makes extensive use of nonstandard characters (particularly those involved in phonetic description and in the display of non-Latin scripts such as Hebrew, Coptic and transliterated Egyptian), it is necessary to download two fonts in order for the pages of the Audio Glossary to display correctly. Though I dislike using nonstandard typefaces, as it makes the site less widely compatible, I believe that the results are worth the slight inconvenience. The two fonts necessary are Code2000 and Coptic Normal, linked below. This page has links to excellent instructions on installing fonts for both Windows and Mac users. Mac users should note that the glossary entries seem only to display properly in Safari; tests with Netscape and Internet Explorer both resulted in the improper display of fonts. Under Windows, the glossary has been tested successfully on Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera.

Code2000
Coptic Normal

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

I have decided to use the International Phonetic Alphabet for descriptions of pronunciation, as it allows for a far more accurate description of the sounds of different languages. I have provided rough approximations using English sounds for the main pronunciation of each given term, as well as for variant pronunciations that I consider significant enough to warrant it; but for most variants the pronunciation is given only in IPA form. There are several excellent resources online about the International Phonetic Alphabet. Brendan Pawlowski has written a superb and concise Guide to the IPA, which provides for a convenient means of reference. For those who are interested in delving deeper into the wonderful world of phonetic description, the Université de Lausanne maintains an introduction to the IPA in English on their website. Omniglot contains a (relatively unhelpful) entry on the IPA, along with a much more useful page describing how the sounds of English are represented by IPA conventions.

Suggestions & Problems with the Site

I maintain this website as a service to my fellow students of Hermeticism. I will add new content whenever possible and work to ensure that it is of the highest quality, but your feedback is indispensible to this process. If there is a term that you would especially like to see added to the Glossary, please contact me and I will give it priority. Similarly, if you notice any errors in the information provided or are experiencing problems with this site that the above information was unable to resolve, please let me know.





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